Charity Hallett: What Happened To P. T. Barnum's Wife?

Charity Hallett is the late wife of Phineas Taylor Barnum known popularly as P. T. Barnum. Charity’s husband P. T. Barnum was a Showman, entrepreneur, politician, author, publisher, and philanthropist. He co-founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus (1871–2017). This is a man of many doings. He once said of himself: “I am a showman by profession … and all the gilding shall make nothing else of me.”

Charity Hallett: Bio Summary

Who Is Charity Hallett?

Charity Hallett was born on 28 October 1808, in Bethel, Connecticut, USA. Her parents are called Benjamin Wright Hallett and Hannah (Sturges) Hallett. Who her siblings are is not known. Details of her early life, and education are not available. She was a seamstress in Bethel, Connecticut.

Charity Hallet was a hardworking woman who was dedicated to her work. She rose to fame thanks to her marriage to showman, businessman, and politician P. T. Barnum. She and her future husband P. T. Barnum met under unknown circumstances and started dating soon after their first meeting.

On November 8, 1829, Charity and P. T. Barnum got married, in front of their family and loved ones. P. T. Barnum recalls his wedding as the moment he “became the husband of one of the best women in the world.” They became parents of four children.

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The couple gave birth to Caroline Cornelia Thompson (1833–1911), Helen Maria Hurd (1840–1915), Frances Irena Barnum (1842–1844), and Pauline Taylor Seeley (1846–1877). Charity Hallett and P. T. Barnum were married until Charity passed away. They were married for 44 years.

After Charity’s demise, her husband P. T. Barnum married English socialite, Nancy Fish although Nancy was 40 years younger than him. Nancy’s father John Fish, who was a Manchester cotton mill owner was a close friend of P. T. Barnum.

P. T. Barnum boycott his late wife Charity Hallett’s funeral as he was in Southport at that time with his lover Nancy Fish and her father John. It was alleged that P. T. Barnum and Nancy had an affair even before the death of Charity, P. T. Barnum’s first wife.

P. T. Barnum and Nancy Fish were married in London and then in New York City. They were married in 1874, at the Strand in London on 14 February and then at a Greek Orthodox church in New York City on 15 September in front of a large crowd.

P. T. Barnum and his new wife Nancy Fish enjoyed their honeymoon at the Windsor Hotel in New York City. They were happily married and P. T. Barnum’s children were devoted to their stepmother, Nancy despite their similar ages.

The couple planned, built, and furnished a new house in Bridgeport, Connecticut named Marina. They were married until P. T. Barnum’s death.

What Happened To P. T. Barnum’s Wife?

P. T. Barnum’s wife, Charity Hallett passed away on November 19, 1873, in Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA, at age 65. She reportedly died of heart failure. Her relatives and friends were there to render their last respect to her. She was known “for her unassuming charities and for the domestic virtues which adorn the character of wife and mother.”

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Charity Hallett’s husband P. T. Barnum died on April 7, 1891, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S., at age 80. He died of a stroke at his home. He is buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, Connecticut, a cemetery he designed himself. P. T. Barnum left his widow Nancy Fish $100,000, their home Marina, and an annuity of $40,000.

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